This wasn’t exactly the type of episode I’d expect from this series, On one hand, it’s still got the serious air, creative action-scenes and the dark nature of Hei. Suou has also gotten a lot better now that she’s a contractor, and Kirihara also is back and seems like she’s going to be a major player in the story. And at the same time this episode introduces a bunch of goofballs, including a bunch of punks, the father of one of these punks, who works as a cross dresser, and Suou gets sick fro having eaten very old noodles.

So yeah, overall I do regard the first season as superior to the second, mostly because of its very short length and I’m fully aware that this second season isn’t going to be able to top the Yin-arc. However, the execution has gotten much tighter at least (from what I remember of it, anyway). Especially the humour is better balanced here: the comedy episodes of the first season were amongst its worst episodes, especially that silly OVA was just pointless, but here it actually fits and contributes to the overall story, rather than being annoying.

In any case, I’m glad to see that Suou has indeed stopped being an annoying teenager now that she’s turned into a contractor. I like this set-up a lot and it works really well with Hei’s development from the first series. Or at least, I think he has developed. It’s hard to tell whether he did or not considering how he’s been acting most of the time, and we’ve never really seen him in a situation like this, in which he had to train and take care of an annoying teenager.

I also wonder: what’s Suou’s penalty? Hei said that he noticed that she used her powers when he was away, so it’s got to be something that alters her looks, but I didn’t quite pick up yet what it was.Rating: * (Good)

Is it just me or is suou an incomplete/unstable contractor?
In this episode she sort of swayed between contractor and normal girl, at least from what I see. Although maybe it’s just the overall atmosphere of this episode. But I did notice her renumeration was half complete, which normal contractors aren’t capable of doing.

If she is really unstable, I would say a job well done in portraying that. If not, well… let’s just forget all this.

well that’s an anti-tank rifle she uses, it can be heard a mile away >.>, maybe that’s how he knew? And judging from the contractors from the first and even this season, her personality doesn’t seem to differ, cept the fact she has a deep remorse for whatever she’s about to kill.

She didn’t get sick from the noodles. She got her very first period (hence the cross-dresser guy giving her pads with wings). As others mentioned, her remuneration is making origami cranes (which she did in the bar after pulling out the Big Boomer). I loved July just sitting there facing the other way. He makes me smile.

As far as how Hei knows…well, he could just be cynical, or a good judge of her reactions, or he senses her use of power (which she seems to have gotten from him/Bai to begin with). There may well be a connection because of that transfer.

Hei as a handler is interesting–very dark and hard to watch at times. But Mao as a squirrel, I’m loving it.

The theme of love/feelings has been running through from episode one–brotherly/sisterly love prior to the meteor strike, Shion’s ridicule of love, Nika and Tanya, Hei and…Yin? Norio for Suou. the police guy(name eludes me) for Misaki. Clearly, we’re gonna see more of this theme work out. Love.

This second series has been great, teens or no teens. Really liking it.

I think it’s origami overall, cause the stuff she makes each time are different. But seriously, are you telling me this whole time you NEVER saw her fold something or wonder why she is folding paper after she uses her powers?

They can’t kill off Hei he’s the main character of DTB. Suou is the main character of this season. I’m pretty sure he’ll get back his powers soon and find out what happened to Yin and find Misaki again; we just are going to have to be patient Ans see where this plot goes….

@Chris: I’m wondering if it has to do with contractors being more tolerant to stress and pain… or, according to the “she is not really a contractor” theories, perhaps she just has much more willpower now. You’d be surprised what the body can do, given enough willpower (I’m reminded of the story of a mother who lifted a truck to save her 5 yr old son, and lived, albeit with many broken bones and the such).

Does anybody know the name/artist of the song that they’ve been using for the heavy action sequences this season? It’s really, really cool and I’ve been looking but I can’t find any information; would probably help if I could read Japanese. It plays during the first episode of s2, when Hei attacks April after she kills the burger guy, and in episode 3 around the 13 minute mark, starting from where Mao and Suou are hiding from the soldiers and playing through the entire sequence. MUCH appreciated if anyone has any idea.

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AidanAK47

(Tuesday, Mar 31. 2015 02:34 PM)

Hmmm, my current laptop doesn’t have anything major wrong with it and can last a few months. Like you said it might be good to wait.
Know any good site that will help me keep an eye on things on new laptop affairs? Or else just let me know if a impressive beast comes out.

AidanAK47

(Tuesday, Mar 31. 2015 02:31 PM)

I was aware that this thing might be heavy but weight isn’t really an issue. Nor is using it around other people as I had no intention of doing so. I need the portabilty in order to keep it on hand when going to and from my parents and my house. Highly doubt I would need it in a place with a lot of people. Chances are I would just chat with people instead or play a DS.
I figured it would be outdated by years end. Really I just need a laptop that will last me a good few years.

Raggers

(Tuesday, Mar 31. 2015 02:28 PM)

I really need to go now but I can look at this stuff in more detail later. Just be aware that 2015/2016 will see some major changes to hardware and software – DX12 will need next-gen cards for full support most likely, VR will mean they are optimised for low-latency…
There is a lot of new stuff coming, and you will miss out if you buy now.

Raggers

(Tuesday, Mar 31. 2015 02:24 PM)

I don’t know how long your current solution will last, but I expect there to be serious developments in the next product cycle or two. GPUs will (finally) shrink to the next node, bringing huge power savings and boosting performance significantly. Skylake will come out with some very interesting features, and 3D memory should be highly beneficial for performance.

Raggers

(Tuesday, Mar 31. 2015 02:20 PM)

Price isn’t really a concern with your budget, but a TOTL gaming laptop has major compromises. I don’t really feel comfortable helping unless you are aware of this – you will unlikely be able to use it in any circumstances where there are other people nearby unless they are all using headphones, you’ll need headphones, and it’ll be very bulky and heavy.

AidanAK47

(Tuesday, Mar 31. 2015 02:16 PM)

Pretty much anything on steam.

AidanAK47

(Tuesday, Mar 31. 2015 02:16 PM)

Well go ahead, if price was not a factor what should I go for?

Raggers

(Tuesday, Mar 31. 2015 02:15 PM)

What kind of games are we talking about?

Raggers

(Tuesday, Mar 31. 2015 02:15 PM)

Oh, ninja’d.

AidanAK47

(Tuesday, Mar 31. 2015 02:14 PM)

About 2700 euro is the highest I can go at the moment. Though if I wait another month I can go beyond 3000.

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